Clearing the 800 MHz band: Funding for programme-making and special-events

Last year we decided to clear the 800 MHz band so it matches the spectrum being released in other European countries. This will benefit people across the UK because the spectrum will be able to be used for new mobile broadband services. Because of this, programme-making and special events (PMSE) users will have to stop using channel 69. To help these users move, we have made a commitment to:

• provide replacement spectrum and maintain PMSE access to channel 69 during the changeover period; and
• provide funding to eligible PMSE users who are affected by us clearing channel 69.

In this statement we focus on funding. The previous Government, in its Digital Britain final report, said that it supported the proposal to clear the 800 MHz band and that it was prepared, in principle, to provide funding for users who had to move.

This statement gives more information on how funding will be provided as a result of the Government’s decision to provide funding which will be a contribution to the cost of replacing the equipment. We set out the conditions that users must meet to qualify for funding, the evidence that will be needed to check claims and how payments will be worked out. We finish by setting out the next steps for launching the funding scheme.